foundations in microbiology test bank

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This bacterium is responsible for causing tuberculosis as it specifically infects the lungs and can spread to other parts of the body. Mycobacterium leprae (A) causes leprosy, Streptococcus pneumoniae (B) causes pneumonia, and Clostridium botulinum (D) causes botulism, making them incorrect choices for tuberculosis. Mycobacterium tuberculosis has unique characteristics and mechanisms that enable it to cause tuberculosis, such as its ability to evade the immune system and form granulomas in the lungs.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This is because Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common Gram-negative rod that is a non-lactose fermenter and a common cause of severe pneumonia, especially in immunocompromised individuals. It is also known for its resistance to many antibiotics, making it difficult to treat. Summary of other choices: B: Escherichia coli is a lactose fermenter and is not commonly associated with severe pneumonia. C: Klebsiella pneumoniae is a lactose fermenter and is more commonly associated with pneumonia in alcoholics or debilitated patients. D: Enterobacter cloacae is a lactose fermenter and is not a common cause of severe pneumonia.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D (All of the above) because all three bacteria (Clostridium botulinum, Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica) are known to cause foodborne infections. Clostridium botulinum can lead to botulism, E. coli can cause various gastrointestinal illnesses, and Salmonella enterica is a common cause of food poisoning. Each bacterium has specific mechanisms that result in foodborne illnesses. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because each bacterium mentioned is associated with causing foodborne infections, making them collectively the correct answer.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Sporozoites. Sporozoites are the infective stage of Plasmodium for the female Anopheles mosquito. Here's the rationale: After being transmitted to a human host through a mosquito bite, the sporozoites travel to the liver where they mature and reproduce asexually as merozoites (not the infective stage for mosquitoes). The merozoites then infect red blood cells, leading to symptoms like fever, headache, and shivering. During the blood stage, some merozoites develop into male and female gametocytes, which are not infective to mosquitoes. When a mosquito bites an infected person, it ingests gametocytes, which then develop into male and female gametes and fuse to form ookinetes. Ookinetes develop into oocysts in the mosquito's gut, releasing sporozoites that migrate to the salivary glands, ready to infect a new human host when the mosquito bites

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Catalase. Catalase is the enzyme responsible for breaking down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. This process helps protect the bacteria from oxidative damage caused by hydrogen peroxide. Amylase (A), Lipase (C), and Protease (D) are enzymes that are not involved in breaking down hydrogen peroxide. Amylase is involved in breaking down starch, Lipase breaks down lipids, and Protease breaks down proteins. Therefore, they are not the correct enzymes for the given question.